Mar. 04, 2015
HARRISBURG – As a way to help connect job creators with a new generation of highly skilled and trained workers, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) Tuesday gave her support to legislation in the House creating a Select Committee on Technical Education and Career Readiness.
“The opportunities that lie ahead for today’s students are limitless and are located right here in Pennsylvania,” Pickett said. “In order to reach these students and ensure they have the education, training and skills needed to fill those good-paying jobs, we need to take a look at how our schools are preparing them for the ever-changing world ahead.”
As part of the new Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness, its members will seek to refocus Pennsylvania’s secondary and post-secondary education on career training to match graduates with the existing good-paying jobs that are available within the state’s borders.
Among the committee’s tasks will be to investigate existing science, technical, engineering and mathematics (STEM) schools and vocational-technical programs and develop proposals to promote career pathways to meet existing employment needs.
“With science and technology growing by leaps and bounds, the career paths for today’s students are likely not to take a traditional route,” Pickett said. “We have two terrific technical schools within our area, and they have helped train thousands of students over the years meet the needs of the changing workforce.
“We need to do all that we can – including better promotion and funding – to highlight the opportunities in the technical, vocational and science fields in an effort to give our students the best possible start with their careers,” she added. “The partnership created by the Select Committee will help us put together an equation for success for everyone.”
Additional plans for the new Select Committee, including meeting dates and employer tours, will be announced shortly.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
(717) 705-2094
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett